bessler



July 14, 1931 F. E. BESSLER l 814,889

DISAPPEARING WALL STAIRWAY Filed July 9, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l [7 f "INVENTOR.

EMA/K E. Egan/5e.

A TTORNEYS.

July 14, 1931. F. E. BESSLER DISAPPEARING WALL STAIRWAY Filed July 9, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 8 m H1 w \m u. M4 i m fl fi 3 Nam m Tm A Patented July 14, 1931 trains FRANK BESSLER, OF AKRON, OHIO, ASSEGNOR TO THE DISAPPEARING STAERVJ; Y CGIiIPAIFY, AKRON, @3119, A CORPORATEON 6F OHIO DISfi-EEEAEING WALL STAIRWAY Application filed July 9, 1928.

This invention relates to stairways of the disappearing wallty'pe.

The general purpose'of the invention isto provide a simpleand'inexpensive construction of this type which will be compact,

whereby it is capable of use in a limited space, and which will belight and capable of easy operation.

The foregoing and'other purposesare attained in the disappearing wall stairway illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular construction shown and described.

Of the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front sectional elevation on line 1--1 of Figure 2 of a disappearing wall stairway embodying the invention, the stain way being shown positioned for use,

Figure 2 is a 81GB sectional elevation on line 22 of Figure ,1;

Figure 8 is a front sectional elevation on line 33 of Figure at showing the stair way against the wall when not in use;

Figure 4: is a side sectionall elevation on line l& of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a part plan of the stairway when in the position shown in Figures 1 and Figure 6 is a section on line 6-6 of Figure 5; and J Figures 7 and 8 are respectively enlarged side and end elevation of .the panel latch.

Referring to the drawings, the numerals 10, 1O designate stringers of the stairway and the numerals 11, 11 represent the treads mortised into the stringers in the usual way as indicated at v12, 12, the stairway structure being completed in a lightbut strong manner by use of the tie bolts 13, 13 connecting the stringers and extending under I brackets 14;, 1a which bear against the under sides of treads 11,,the tie boltsbeing-tensioned by nuts 15, 15 threaded ont othe opposite ends thereof against the outer side faces of the stringers. The bottom cndsof .thestringers are roundedas indicated zit-16,

16 and act as skids on which the stairway can slide over the floor which is represented by the nqpncral .17, w thoi tend ng to n ar Serial No. 291,147.

thefloor. Of course, rollers may be used these are not essential, due to the lightness of the structure.

The opening for the stairway is made through the ceiling preferably adjacent one wall of a room, closet, or hallway from which access is to be had to an upper floor. This opening is herein shown at 18. It is provided with a amb 19 and is of such dimensions as will permit passing of a person through the same in a natural upright position, these dimensions depending, of course, upon the steepness of the stairway. The stairway is preferably made quite steep so as to economize upon the space required for an installation.

The stair ay structure is supported and guided in its longitudinal and pivotal movement by means of plates 20, 2O fastened to the under edges of the stringers 10, these plates being wider than the thickness of the stringers and so secured thereto as to provide flanges projecting from the outer sides of thestringers. These flanges are engaged in slots 21, 21 in a plate 21 secured on the upper flo'or'le vel along the edge of opening 18 adjacent the wall against which the stairway is supported when not in use. The slots are of suchwidth as to permit the sliding and hinging action required to permit moving' the stairway to its position of use. The

slate 21 may be secured in place by screws 22,22 and preferably is flanged downwardly between slots 21 and secured to amb 19 by screws 23, 23 to provide a wear plate on the face of the jamb where the stairway structure rides thereover. The plates 20 are of sulticientlength to guide the stairway by engagement in notches or slots 21 through out the movement of the stairway and the upper. ends of plates 20 are bent downwardly of half round stock 2& directly to the upper and outer edge of the right hand stringer 10.

It will be seen by inspection of Figures 3 and 4 that the lower end of the stairway is moved inwardly against the wall or into a recess therein, the width of the stairway and the thickness thereof preferably being such that it may fit in a space between studding in the wall with the upper end of the stairway extendin up into the room above at one end of the ceiling opening. If the stairway is thus fitted in a wall recess, a door for said recess may be added if desired.

The ceiling opening may be closed by a shown in Figures 1 and 2 by suitable yielding means such as spring 27 connected at one end to the upper side of the panel and at the other to the side of opening 10 above the hinges (seeFigures 1, 3 and 4:). It will be noted that one end of panel 25 defines one edge of a space in which the stair structure is retained when in its vertical position. A casing 17 is provided all around the ceiling opening and projecting inwardly of the jamb to provide a flange with which panel 25 may cooperate in closed position. A second strip 25 similar to strip 25 is secured to the jamb along the outer side of the ceiling opening with which the panel also cooperates in closed position. The panel has a spring latch 28 thereon engageable in a notch 29 in strip 25 in back of an escuteheon plate 30. The latch 28 is best shown in Figures 7 and 8, being pivoted on the panel at 28 and normally urged to latching position by a spring 28 For operating panel 25, a pull chain 31 is attached to latch 28 at 28 so that by pulling the chain at an angle away from the panel, it may be closed and latched shut, and also by pulling on the. chain when the panel is shut, the latch may be released, permitting the panel to open.

It will be understood that when not in use the stairway is against the wall or in a recess .or closet therein and the panel is shut. To use the stairway, the panel is first opened and the lower end of the stairway pulled outwardly from the .wall over the floor to operative position. After use, the stairway is pushed back into or against the wall and the panel shut.

It will be noted that the stair structure is capable of easy removal from the installation by merely elevating it vertically sufficiently to disengage flanges 20 from notches 21. Accordingly, the stair structure may be readily removed and used whenever desired as a ladder;

It will be obvious, of course, that the springs on the panel and thelatch may be omitted in which case the panel can be swung to one side to open the same as a person ascends the stairway.

Modifications of the invention other than those mentioned herein may be resorted to without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is 1. A stairway of the class described comprising a stair structure including stringers and treads, the lower ends of said stringers being rounded to provide skids, flanges on the sides of the stringers at their upper ends, said stair structure being adapted to cooperate with an opening in a room adjacent a wall and communicating with the floor above, and a flange along the edge of said opening adjacent the wall and provided with slots therein through which the flanges on said stringers loosely extend for guiding the upper end of the stair structure in movement between a vertical position with its upper end extending through the opening when not in use and an inclined position when in use, the upper ends of the flanges projecting beyond the tops of the stringers and being bent downwardly to engage on said opening flange to support the stair structure in the position of use.

2. A stairway of the class described comprising a stair structure including stringers and treads, flanges on the sides of the stringers at their upper ends, said stair structure being adapted to cooperate with an opening in a room adjacent a wall and communicating with the floor above, and a flange along the edge of said opening adjacent the wall and provided with slots therein through which the flanges on said stringers loosely extend for guiding the upper end of the stair structure in movement between a substantially vertical position with its upper end extending through the opening when not in use and an inclined position when in use, the upper ends of the flanges projecting beyond the. tops of the stringers and being bent clownwardly to engage on said opening flange to support the stair structure in the position of use.

3. A stairway of the class described comprising a stair structure including stringers and treads, flanges on the sides of the stringers at their upper ends, said stair structure being adapted to cooperate with an opening in a room ad acent a wall and commumcat ing with the floor above, a flange along the edge of said opening adjacent the wall and provided with slots therein through which the flanges on said stringers loosely extend for guiding the upper end of the stair structure in movement between a substantially vertical position with its upper end ext-ending through the opening when y in use and an inclined position when in use, and means on the stair structure for engaging said edge of the opening to support the stair structure in its position of use.

4. A stairway of the class described comprising a stair structure including stringers and treads, the lower ends of said stringers being rounded to provide skids, flanges on the sides of the stringers at their upper ends, said stair structure being adapted to cooperate with an opening in a room and communicating with the floor above, and a flange along an edge of said opening and provided with slots therein through which the flanges on said stringers loosely extend for guiding the upper end of the stair structure in movement between a vertical position with its upper end extending through the opening when not in use and an inclined position when in use, the upper ends of the flanges projecting beyond the tops of the stringers and being bent downwardly to engage on said opening flange to support the stair structure in the position of use.

5. A stairway of the class described com prising a stair structure including stringers and treads, flanges on the sides of the stringers at their upper ends, said stair structure being adapted to cooperate with an opening in a room and communicating with the floor above, and a flange along an edge of said opening and provided with slots therein through which the flanges on said stringers loosely extend for guiding the upper end of the stair structure in movement between a substantially vertical position with its upper end extending through the opening when not in use and an inclined position when in use, the upper ends of the flanges projecting beyond the tops of the stringers and being bent downwardly to engage on said flange to support the stair structure in the position of use.

0. A stairway of the class described comprising a stair structure including stringers and treads, flanges on the sides of the stringers at their upper ends, said stair structure being adapted to cooperate with an opening in a room and communicating with the floor above, a flange along an edge of said opening and provided with slots therein through which the flanges on said stringers loosely extend for guiding the upper end of the stair structure in movement between a substantially vertical position with its upper end extending through the opening when not in use and an inclined position when in use, and means on the stair structure for engaging said edge of said opening to support the 4 stair structure in its position of use.

7 A stairway of the class described comprising a stair structure adapted for use with a frame defining an opening between floors adjacent a wall on the lower floor, said stair stru t e being mounted for movement between a position against the wall with its upper end projecting through one end of the frame and an inclined position with its lower end away from the wall and its upper end supported at said end of said frame adjacent the wall, means at said end of the frame for supporting the stair structure in its inclined position, a panel for closing the opening and being of such length and somounted as to leave a space at said end of the opening through which the stair structure extends when against the wall, said panel being hinged on one side of the frame, a spring on the panel normally holding the same open, a latch on said panel, and a pull element connected to the latch. for closing the panel and for releasing the latch to open the panel.

8. A stairway of the class described comprising a, stair structure adapted for use with a frame defining an opening between floors adjacent a wall on the lower floor, said stair structure being mounted for movement between a position against the wall with its upper end projecting through one end of the frame and an inclined position with its lower end away from the wall and its upper end supported at said end of said frame adjacent the wall, means at said end of the frame for supporting the stair structure in its inclined posit-ion, a panel for closing the opening andbeing of such length and so mounted on the frame as to leave a space atsaid end of the opening through which the stair structure extends when against the wall, said panel being hinged on one edge of the frame, yielding means normally urging the panel to. open position, a latchon said panel, and a pull element connected to the'latch for closing the panel'and for releasing the latch to open the panel.

9. A stairway of the class described comprising a stair, structure adapted for use with a frame defining an opening between floors adjacent a wall on the lower floor, said stair structure being mounted for movement between a position against the wall with its upper end projecting through one end of the frame and an inclined position with its lower end away from the wall and its upper end supported at said end of said frame adjacent the wall, meansat said end of the frame for supporting the stair structure in its inclined position, a panel for closing the opening and being of such length and so mounted on the frame as to leave a space at said end of the opening through which the stair structure extends when against the wall, said panel being hinged on one side of the frame, a spring on the panel normally holding the same open, a latch on said panel, and means for operating said panel and latch.-

10. A stairway of the class described comprising a stair structure adapted for use with a frame defining an opening between said stair structure being mounted for movement between a position against the wall with its upper end projecting through one end of the frame and an inclined position with its lower end away from the wall and its upper end supported at said end of said frame adjacent the wall, means at said end of the frame for supporting the stair structure in its inclined position, a panel for closing the opening and being of such length and so mounted on the frame as to leave a space at said end of the opening through which the stair structure extends when against the wall, said panel being hinged on oneedge of the frame, yielding means normally urging the panel to open position, a latch on said panel, and means for operating said panel and latch.

' 11. A stairway of the class described comprising a stair structure adapted for use with a frame defining an opening between floors, said stair structure being mounted for movement between a vertical position with its upper end projecting through one end of the frame and an inclined position with its upper end supported at said end of said frame, means at said end of the frame for supporting the stair structure. in its inclined position, a panel for closing the opening and being of such length and so mounted as to leave a space at said end of the frame through which the stair structure extends when against the wall, said panel being hinged on one side of the frame, a spring on the panel normally holding the same open, a latch on said panel, and a pull element con nected to the latch for closing the panel and for releasing the latch to open the panel.

12. A stairway of the class described comprising a stair structure adapted for use with a frame defining an opening between floors, said stair structure being mounted for movement between a vertical position with its upper end-projecting through one end of the frame and an inclined position with its upper end supported at said end of said frame, means at said end of the frame forsupporting the stair structure in its inclined position, apanelfor closing the opening and being of such length and so mounted as to leave a space at said end of the frame through which the stair structure extends when against the wall, said panel being hinged on one edge of the frame, yielding means normally urging the panel to open position, a latch on said panel, and a pull element connected to the latch for closing the panel and for releasing the latch to open the panel.

13. A stairway of the class described comprising a stair structure adapted for use with aframe defining an opening between floors, said stair structure being mounted for movement between Vertical position floors adjacent a wall on the lower floor, with its upper end projecting through one end of the frame and an inclined position with its upper end supported at said end of said frame, means at said end of the frame for supporting the stair structure in its inclined position, a panel for closing the opening and being of such length and so mounted as to leave a space at said end of the frame through which the stair structure extends when against the wall, said panel being hinged on one side of the frame, a spring on the panel normally holding the same open, a latch on said panel, and means for operating said panel and latch.

14. A stairway of the class described comprising a stair structure adapted for use with a frame defining an opening between floors, said stair structure being mounted for movement between a vertical position with its upper end projecting through one end of the frame and an inclined position with its upper end supported at said end of said frame, means at said end of the frame for supporting the stair structure in its inclined position, a panel for closing the opening and being of such length and so mounted as to leave a space at said end of the frame through which the stair structure extends when against the wall, said panel being hinged on one edge of the frame, yielding means normally urging the panel to open position, a latch on said panel, and means for operating said panel and latch.

15. The combination of a disappearing stairway with a frame defining a ceiling opening comprising a stair structure movable between a vertical position projecting through one end of the frame and an inclined position with its upper end supported at said end of the frame, means for supporting the upper end of the stairway at said end of the frame, a single panel closure hinged on one side edge of the frame, said panel being of such length and so mounted as to leave a space at said end of the frame through which the stairway extends when in its vertical position.

16. The combination of a disappearing stairway with a frame defining a ceiling opening comprising a stair structure movable between a vertical position projecting through one end of the frame and an inclined position with its upper end supported at said end of the frame, means for supporting the upper end of the stairway at said end of the frame, said means comprising flanges on the stair structure and means providing slots at the said end of the frame, said stair structure being removable by lifting to clear the flanges from said slots, a single panel closure hinged on one edge of the frame, said panel being of such length and so mounted as to leave a space at said end of the frame through which the stairway extends when in its vertical position.

17. The combination of a disappearing stairway with a frame defining a ceiling opening comprising a stair structure mov able between a vertical position projecting through one end of the. frame and an inclined position with its upper end supported at said end of the frame, and means for pivotally and slidably supporting the upper end of the stairway at said end of the frame, said means comprising flanges on the stair structure and means providing slots at the said end of the frame, said stair structure being removable by lifting to clear the flanges from said slots.

18. The combination of a disappearing stairway with a frame defining a ceiling opening comprising a stair structure movable between a vertical position projecting through one end of the frame and an inclined position with its upper end supported at said end of the frame, and means for pivotally and slidably supporting the upper end of the stairway at said end of the frame, said means comprising interengaging ele- M ments on the stair structure and said ene of the frame adapted to be disengaged by lifting the stair structure, whereby the stair structure is readily removable.

FRANK E. BESSLER. 

